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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB187

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 213 appropriates $6,760.0 to SDE to fund technology integration professional development for all teachers in kindergarten through grade twelve.

Significant Issues

The Technology for Education Act requires all school districts to submit local technology plans to SDE for approval. The plans contain information in nine areas including professional development, equipment purchases, and integration of technology into curriculum. Once the department approves a district's plan, the agency distributes funds to the local district on a per pupil basis.

This bill would provide an appropriation for educational technology to public schools in New Mexico outside the Educational Technology Act. Pursuant to 22-15A-8 NMSA 1978, money in the educational technology fund is appropriated to the State Department of Public Education for the purpose of implementing the provisions of the Technology for Education Act.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 213 appropriates $6,760.0 to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

Since the bill does not specify how the funds should be distributed, SDE will distribute the funds evenly to all 89 school districts on a per teacher basis and would result in an allocation of $342.00 per teacher.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to SDE, school districts build into their academic calendars professional development (staff inservice) days. The department does not anticipate districts would need to hire additional FTE with passage of this bill.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

SDE indicates that this bill relates to HB 187 - NMSU Educational Technology Assistance.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

SDE recommends that language be included to link funded professional development at the district level with the current Regional Educational Technology Assistance (RETA), a statewide professional development initiative. RETA currently provides training for teams of teachers from the school districts.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This bill relates to HB 3/aHEC and SB 3. The recommendation for Educational Technology contained in HB 3/aHEC and SB 3 is $4,400.0 to the Educational Technology Fund. Money in the fund are distributed on a per pupil basis.

CTF/prr